TransPac or TransPlate or Zeagle

[shellbackdiver1]

Actually I was thinking of getting the TransPac or Stiletto due to the fact that I probably will not do repetitive tech diving. I associate BP/W with a true tech diver for some reason. Is the occassional 40+ meter dive (naturally with the proper training and ability) warrant a BP/W that will feel comfortable and secure with dual tanks. Or does a TransPac cofigured with duals/pony or Stilleto/pony setup suffice? Some here may say would you jump out of an airplane with a parachutte that will "suffice".

The points of concern are all tied for first place: *weight of over all setup, *comfort for that long hike to and from, *ability to take abuse (harness and wing) from number of dives and rugged environments.

 

[SangP]

shellbackdiver1,

I'm glad you spelled out what you want in your bc and for overall weight a regular bc is going to be lighter anyday except for maybe the O pac. For long hikes I find my bp/w a little uncomfortable as it doesn't have any form of padding. For all out ruggedness, I would say my girl's oxycheq signature wing and hog harness fits the bill.

I would say that if you wanted a light bc, it might not be as rugged compared to one with tougher materials. Look at the comments between the Zeagle Escape
and Stiletto
.

From your description either the Diverite transpac or the Oxycheq O Pac might fit the bill although, I'm not sure bout the weight of the transpac and the Oxycheq O Pac although the lightest, uses the Hog harness which won't be that comfortable for long hikes (but 150m in a hog harness is nothing).

SangP

 

[djanni]

Actually I was thinking of getting the TransPac or Stiletto due to the fact that I probably will not do repetitive tech diving. I associate BP/W with a true tech diver for some reason. Is the occassional 40+ meter dive (naturally with the proper training and ability) warrant a BP/W that will feel comfortable and secure with dual tanks. Or does a TransPac cofigured with duals/pony or Stilleto/pony setup suffice? Some here may say would you jump out of an airplane with a parachutte that will "suffice".

The points of concern are all tied for first place: *weight of over all setup, *comfort for that long hike to and from, *ability to take abuse (harness and wing) from number of dives and rugged environments.

With a Stiletto you'll have about 1.5 lbs of positive buoyancy. Dive Rite claims the Transpac dives exactly like an Aluminum backplate. I really can't see how that could be but maybe so.

Compared to a bp/w with a Hogarthian harness how much more total weight would you have to lug to the water? I would say it's going to be 2 lbs if you go with a Stiletto. If you go with a Transpac probably the same???

The Stiletto has a little padding in the harness straps and the Transpac has a little more padding. Padding will provide a little comfort while hauling that extra pound or two to the water. A Hogarthian harness would not have any padding.

For both bc's remember you can redistribute weight into rear trim pockets offering a similar effect as the redistribution of weight provided by a backplate.

 

[shellbackdiver1]

I have received a lot good advice on this thread as well as all of the other BP/W and BCD debates on this board. Thanks to all. Im a little closer to my final choice. Wish I could have 3 setups....

1 Mares BCD to entice students to buy the stuff my shop sells
1 Zeagle Stiletto because of the name, quality, proven performance and excellent single tank capability
1 BP/W set-up for the future and possible travel.

So gotta keep the Tusa for teaching cause there is no Tech shops in Taiwan and my shop does not have the chance to start stocking harness systems until Jan. Im starting to get the hint that there is no difference between a softpac harness system and a Zeagle Stilleto. Does that sound about right? So the TransPac is out. Down to a Stilleto and true BP/W setup choice.

 

[Pez7378]

I love reading the opinions of Don Janni and SangP.

Here is my .02...... and mind you I have limited experience but am reasearching both Zeagle (Ranger) and DSS BP/W.... Both companies offer extremely good products, and as proven here on SB, customer service and product support is second to none. I have not read any negative reviews of either and I have learned much from the replies to questions from both Scott Zeagle and Tobin of DSS. I wish I could afford to buy from both companies.